Clerodendrum umbellatum

Clerodendrum umbellatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Clerodendrum
Species:	C. umbellatum
Binomial name
Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir.
Synonyms
Clerodendrum congense Engl. Clerodendrum cordifolium (Hochst.) A.Rich. Clerodendrum hirsutum G.Don Clerodendrum scandens P.Beauv. Clerodendrum scandens var. asperifolium B.Thomas Clerodendrum scandens var. speciosum B.Thomas Clerodendrum simplex G.Don Clerodendrum umbellatum f. scandens (P.Beauv.) Moldenke Clerodendrum umbellatum var. speciosum Moldenke Volkameria cordifolia Hochst.

Clerodendrum umbellatum is a scandent African shrub of the family Lamiaceae, but previously placed in Verbenaceae. It is found in Tropical Africa, Central America and Tropical Asia, its distribution being to some extent anthropogenic, and is often planted for its showy flowers. The genus Clerodendrum is large with more than 300 species currently accepted.^[1]

This climber, first described in 1804 by Jean Louis Marie Poiret, has slender, finely pubescent branches. Leaves are oblong to ovate-elliptic, with entire margins, an acute apex, and subcordate base; petiole is from 2–8 cm in length. Inflorescence of umbellate cymes is terminal and many-flowered. The fragrant flowers may be red or white, with a pink or red tinge to the centre. Calyx cup-shaped, with 5 lobes; corolla-tube puberulous, also 5-lobed. Drupe bluish-black, enclosed by a red calyx, and splitting into 4 pyrenes when mature.^[2]